County executive proposes RFP and $4.5M transfer to human services after farmers decline urban-farming plan

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told the County Council on April 29 he intends to seek a countywide request for proposals (RFP) to address food insecurity and asked the council to authorize moving $4.5 million from the general operating fund to the Department of Human Services to support a new program.

Page said three farmers who had been part of a previously approved urban‑farming plan withdrew because they were uncomfortable with the process as proposed and recommended that any allocation for urban farming be awarded through a competitive, countywide bidding process rather than limited to one district. He said the new project would be housed in the Department of Human Services and that he wants the full $4,500,000 originally allotted for food‑insecurity efforts to support the new program.

Page told the council his office had met with Councilwoman Gretchen Webb and the acting procurement director to pursue an RFP approach that would be countywide and include businesses in the industry. He said the county is working on a comprehensive plan (STL Co 2050) and that addressing long‑term food insecurity is a top priority in the draft plan.

Public comment at the meeting included support for food‑security efforts. Reverend Phil Duvall spoke in favor of the bill and urged the council to preserve protections that do not “strip its current effectiveness.” Several public commenters and Councilwoman Webb subsequently criticized the county executive’s veto of related legislation during the meeting; Councilwoman Webb and others said the veto and subsequent meetings with farmers who had been out of compliance were an “insult” to North County residents and volunteers. The transcript records that the county executive later met with farmers and sought the RFP route following those withdrawals.

Why it matters: the executive’s proposal would change how county funds for food insecurity are allocated—moving from a district‑specific allotment to a countywide competitive process and consolidating the program in the Department of Human Services. Council members discussed next steps and several members voiced concern about process, compliance and communication.

Ending: The council did not adopt an RFP authorization or the $4.5 million transfer at the April 29 meeting; Page said he had sent a letter to the council requesting the RFP approach and funding move. Councilmember Webb and other speakers said they will continue to press for a path forward; the transcript records that Page vetoed the bill that prompted the discussion.